Lenten Goodie bags

 

We are hoping to be back in person on Easter, but our church is still holding virtual services right now.  So, I am working on Lenten bags to give to each of our families.  I thought I'd share items that I've found in case anyone else would like some ideas.  Please share yours in the comments for others to glean off of! :)  Thanks!

1.  Lenten devotional booklet.  Our 3rd-5th graders are meeting on zoom for Sunday school but we haven't had much success with our younger group - so I've been sending them stuff to do at home with their families.  I saw these online and thought they looked good for our prek-2nd grade group.  I was a little hesitant because I couldn't see exactly what was inside, but I'm very happy with them - the pics don't show the daily devos, just activity pages.  Fun little devos and activities for each day and some good holy week ideas for families.  They could actually be used with older children as well.

2.  Some fun activities from Oriental Trading.  Ever year I get some little sticker or scratch off activity from OT because I always find a use for them!  This year, I got some bracelets, scratch off lenten count down calendar, stickers, and a palm sunday sticker scene.  The calendars must be out of stock because they aren't coming up anymore.  But there are a LOT of other scratch off/sticker activities that kids love to do.  I also bought fake palm branches to use for Palm Sunday - but we will be in person or outside by then, so I am not including those in their goodie bags.

3. Alleluia Butterflies!  Illustrated ministries makes these and we did an activity with them years ago that was really fun!  I decided to include 3-4 in each bag this year, and include the idea of "burying" them and then "releasing them" on Easter! 

4.  Legos and a cross:  I found an idea at this site years ago and we did it in our prayer stations that year. I altered it for them to do it at home this year and bought the cheap legos from Target (dollar bins) and/or the Dollar tree.  For the younger kids, I went ahead and assembled a cross that they can build on.  I included instructions on the prayer in each bag.

5.  Egg decorating kit!  A few weeks after Easter, I always go to the store and buy egg decorating kits that are 75-90% off.  Usually they cost around $.25 :)  So, I had around 25 laying around that I could add to their goodie bag!

6.  Valentine's Day goodies:  Just for fun, since they'll be picking up their bags the beginning of February, I added in a little baggie of some Valentine's day silliness and candy :)  (I also go shopping after Valentine's day and get fun valentines that don't include candy, 75-90% for the next year - so I had tons!)

7.  Lastly, I threw in some personalized items for my older kids in the 4th/5th grade TNT group and a note to all the families talking about what I included and how they can use it.  Our TNT group made a 2021 Word cloud of words that we need to focus on this year.  I framed them and put them in the bag.  

If you are including anything else in your bag, let me know!!  As I mentioned, I am planning on being in person on Palm Sunday and Easter, so these bags are focused more on lent and not Holy week.  I'm praying I get to see my kids on Easter!!!  (even if it's socially distanced and with masks...I'll take it!)